The winger confirmed yesterday that if he doesn't have a deal in place with the Senators when the regular season begins Oct. 3, he'll ask agents Stacey McAlpine and J.P. Barry to put discussions on hold until the end of the season.

Heatley, who can become an unrestricted free agent next summer, was happy to see teammate Mike Fisher sign an extension yesterday and the high-scoring winger would love to stay as well, but he'd rather not see any drama play out during the season.

A DISTRACTION

"It's not for me, it's for the team," said Heatley.

"I've seen these kinds of situations become distractions before and I don't want that to happen here. I'm not trying to put any deadline on it here. That's not what this is about."

Heatley said there have been talks and the sides have agreed to hold more discussions between now and Oct. 3.

Heatley would be the most valuable UFA on the market next summer and could command more than double the $4.5 million US he'll earn this season.

"All I can say is that I'd love to get something done because I love playing in Ottawa," said Heatley, who will be chasing his third straight 50-goal season in 2007-08.